Capitol News

Michigan State University has announced that three of its students have been named finalists for prestigious national awards. These students are being recognized for their leadership potential and contributions to various fields.

Jerome Hamilton Jr., a third-year political science student with a minor in environmental social science, is a finalist for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. This scholarship acknowledges students who demonstrate exceptional leadership and are committed to public service careers. The award offers financial support for graduate study and leadership training to about 62 students annually. Hamilton hails from Baltimore, Maryland, and is also a member of the Honors College.

Vishnu Kannan is competing for the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans. This fellowship celebrates the achievements of immigrants and their children in the United States by funding graduate education for 30 individuals who will significantly contribute to U.S. society, culture, or academia. Kannan graduated from MSU in 2020 with multiple majors including international relations, political theory, constitutional democracy, and economics. He also holds minors in Indian and Asian studies as well as political economy. Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kannan currently serves as an adviser to the president and executive office research coordinator at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Sophia Strach is a finalist for the James C. Gaither Junior Fellows program, which provides one year of funding and placement as a research assistant to senior scholars at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This program selects around 15 students each year. Strach is a fourth-year student majoring in political theory and constitutional democracy with a minor in Russian studies. She comes from Muskegon, Michigan.

The results of these competitions will be announced in the coming months.

The Distinguished Student Awards Office at MSU supports undergraduate and graduate students through major national and international opportunities by offering information and direct assistance throughout competitive application processes.